These questions and answers are here to help you with your Household Insurance purchase. The answers given are meant as a guide, before you buy your policy you should check the individual terms and conditions shown in the insurers policy wording.

If you need further help you can contact us at info@fortressunderwriting.co.uk, or ring on 08700 60 24 24. This service facility is available 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

Is it best to insure my buildings and contents under one policy?

Like many questions about insurance there is no black and white answer. It is best to enquire. Some insurers give a discount if both buildings and contents are on one policy. If there were to be a claim affecting both buildings and contents, as is often the case, it would be better to have them insured under one policy - for speed and convenience if no other reason.

What is included under the word ‘buildings’?

‘Buildings’ means the structure of the home, domestic outbuildings and garages, permanent fixtures and fittings, and its walls, gates, fences and hedges, driveways paths and patios, oil tanks, swimming pools - all on the same site.

What should the sum insured be for my buildings?

You should insure your house for the re-building value of your house. This can be more or less than the market value, and reflects the cost of re-building your property from scratch. It is in no way related to the market value. The reason it can be more expensive than the market value is that some properties particularly those with unusual features or of stone construction.

Do I have to re-value my house every year?

No. Your insurer will increase the value (called the sum insured) every year according to a published index of prices (called ‘index linking’). Of course, if you feel that the new sum insured they suggest at renewal is too high, or too low, then it is your responsibility to notify the insurer.

What is ‘standard construction’?

Premiums are calculated assuming your building is built of brick or stone and roofed with slates or tiles - as most domestic buildings in the UK are. Recognising that there may be an extension with a flat roof insurers are usually happy with up to 20%; being ‘non-standard’ (i.e. felt or asphalt). Non-standard construction (such as wooden framed buildings or buildings without a damp-proof course - usually pre-1920) may attract an additional premium.

Will you insure my holiday home?

Not using our web based service. Holiday homes can be insured under a separate policy but certain restrictions do apply - for example the water supply must be turned off at the mains when the house is left unoccupied and it must be visited weekly during the winter months. Your Contents insurance will also contain restrictions because of possible storm or water damage as well as theft or attempted theft whilst the property is unoccupied. Insurance cover for Holiday homes abroad can also be arranged. Please access the technical help desk for more information. If you rent out your holiday home certain restrictions will apply whilst others are in residence. Remember: Your main home will also be subject to restrictions if you leave it unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days. You must notify your insurer if a prolonged absence is likely.

I’ve just signed the contracts to buy a new house. Do I need to insure it now or just when we take possession?

You will normally be responsible for loss or damage as soon as you sign the contracts, so you should insure it now.

You offer £35000 of contents insurance on my 4 bedroom house. I’ve only got about £20000. Why do I need this extra cover?

Your policy with us is on a ‘new for old’ basis. This means that if an item were destroyed, say by fire, then we would replace with a similar quality item but brand new. That carpet you purchased 10 years (or more) ago might have cost a few hundred pounds but today the figure is likely to be thousands. You will be surprised if you go round your house and assess everything at today’s replacement values. (New for old does not apply to household linen and clothing.) From experience of thousands of house insurance policies we know that £35,000 is a comfortable figure that will be in excess of some people’s requirements but not by very much in a 4 bedroom house. The premium will not be less if your contents are of less total value. Note: If you think your contents would not be covered by £35,000 you should not select that insurance policy. This is important as if you were to claim and your contents were worth over £35,000 then the insurer would apply the average clause.

How do I assess the value of my contents?

It is important that you have a good idea of what things are worth at today’s prices. Don’t forget the items inside cupboards and that CD or record collection. It is a good discipline to make a list room by room. If you have any items of particular value then it is a very good idea to take photographs - in the event of theft or fire it will make any claim easier to assess.

What’s the difference between a loss assessor and a loss adjuster?

Most insurers use the services of specialist loss adjusters when there is a serious fire or claim. They have specialist and local knowledge which can usually bring about a speedy and satisfactory conclusion to your claim. They are paid by the insurer but are independent. A loss assessor is an individual or firm that you can retain (at your own expense) to negotiate your claim - they often take a percentage of the claims monies as a fee.

Are your building policies accepted by my mortgage lender?

Yes. We can prepare a second policy schedule for you to give to your lender which will include their interest as mortgagor. If the policy is cancelled or lapsed we will have to tell the mortgagor of that fact. You can do this yourself by viewing your policy and printing out a copy of your schedule.

What is accidental damage to contents?

This is accidental breakage or spillage or damage caused by accidental means - which is not deliberate or expected. For example: a can of paint is spilled onto a carpet; a cigarette burn to a sofa’s material or, perhaps, dropping an ornament onto a hard floor. There is an excess applicable to prevent a host of insignificant claims.

We noticed from our holiday insurance last year that we only had £250 of cover for personal baggage and jewellery, cameras and the like. This isn’t enough. Can we get more cover from you?

Travel insurance is a sensible thing to buy but it is also sensible to check that you have enough cover, just like you have done. Your contents section can be extended to cover portable items (such as jewellery, cameras, lap-tops, and personal effects) against loss or damage anywhere in the world (up to 90 days in any one year.)

What is an approved intruder alarm?

Most insurers will give a discount from the premium if you install an approved alarm fitted (and maintained) by a NACOSS or SSAIB approved engineer.

Neighbourhood watch is it a good thing? And would I get a discount if I joined?

Yes it is a good thing. There have been many instances where theft has been prevented by suspicious characters being ‘spotted’ and reported. Some insurers do offer a discount for membership.

What happens at renewal date?

We will contact you, about 10 days prior to your renewal date with any changes in premium, sums insured (see index-linking) and terms and conditions - giving you plenty of time to re-consider. If you pay by direct debit, you do not need to do anything - your direct debit will carry on until you choose to stop it. If you paid by credit/debit card, you need to give us a call to give us your card details.

I only rent this place. My landlord tells me I should have tenant’s liability insurance.

Most policies include tenant’s liability insurance so nothing to worry about. Tenant’s liability is your legal duty to the landlord for loss or damage to the structure of the home and it’s landlord’s fixtures and fittings.

What is IPT?

IPT is Insurance PremiumTax. It currently stands at 5% of the premium and is a tax we have to collect for the Government. It is the same wherever you insure your property.

My analogue television was knocked off its stand and is irreparable but I don’t want a similar TV. Can I up-grade to digital?

Most insurers nowadays arrange for a replacement at least as good as the item destroyed. They have enormous buying power and save money on the overall costs of purchase of such items. However, most are receptive to the request for an up-grade and will probably be able to locate the item you want. The same applies to other catalogued items.

What is ‘all risks’?

All Risks is an expression that we try to avoid as it is misleading. There is no such thing as all risks. But it is an expression that, unfortunately, many people in the insurance profession still use. We prefer to say ‘accidental loss of or damage to’ as it is more precise. There are always terms and conditions and exclusions in an insurance policy.

I bought a house in a flood area. I don’t know whether it has ever been flooded but some others in the village have been. What should I do?

The important thing about insurance is to tell the insurer any material facts. There is a declaration on the application form that you agree to. Part of that declaration is asking you whether you live in an area prone to flooding, landslip and the like. From your question you would have to answer in the affirmative. You cannot answer that your property was flooded if you do not know or could have reasonably be expected to know. The whole essence of insurance is this idea of reasonableness. An insurer cannot expect you to know about depth of foundations or water tables but they would expect you to know that the building was built of brick and roofed with tiles.

Why should I insure my home with you?

We are a new customer service organisation dedicated to giving first priority to your needs. Technological advances have transformed the way customers expect insurance companies to perform. But, old habits die hard and many insurers have struggled to deliver the kind of service and insurance products that you, the customer, want and demand. We combine technological advances with in-depth market experience and secure and reliable underwriters to produce a low cost of operation. We do not charge arrangement fees nor take large commissions for our services. Come with us now as we move home insurance into the 21st Century. Try us - you should be pleasantly surprised!

What am I obliged to do?

You must take due care of your possessions and maintain your property in a good state of repair. For example: if gutters need replacing then that is your responsibility. We will only make a deduction for wear and tear if the property has not been maintained in a good state of repair.